Laboratory/Technical Assistants
Laboratory Technicians / Assistants support the work of biomedical scientists and clinical scientists or medical technical officers by carrying out practical tasks in scientific and physiological measurement departments in hospitals. Areas of work are:
- Medical Laboratory Assistants
- Phlebotomists
- Cardiographers
- Cervical Screening
There are three main routes of entry into careers for Healthcare Scientists in the NHS, Route A, B and C.
Route A
For recent school leavers and others without academic qualifications beyond GCSE level. Many posts require no formal qualifications but open the way for a range of careers and will all involve training and further education.
Route B
For people with A level (or equivalent) qualifications to enable further or higher education. Options from here include taking a university course that leads to specific career, i.e Pharmacy, Radiography), or trainee posts (similar to those in Route A) may ask for A levels, where further study is done part time while training.
Route C
For graduates with relevant degrees, opportunities exist to join scientific teams working at the forefront of human understanding on issues of human health and prevention of disease. Many graduates will enter via a trainee position where further higher level study may be involved.